The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
PE teacher Quinn Menchetti answers questions. Mr. Mencheti was a speaker at the rally on Nov. 7, which assembled to ask the university for a solid plan in terms of federal agents.
At rally, unions demand university to take more action
Interim Director of Schools Susan Groesbeck, who worked at Lab for 10 weeks, has departed her role effective immediately. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, will serve as interim director for the rest of the academic year.
Interim director Susan Groesbeck leaves Lab; Ethan Bueno de Mesquita appointed interim leader
A group of teachers have created a program called “Strength in Numbers” to walk teachers and students home after school due to feelings of anxiety regarding the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago neighborhoods.
‘Strength in Numbers’ program aims to ease community anxiety
Michael Smalenberger, a math teacher, has joined U-High as a long term substitute for Advanced Algebra and Precalculus/Intro to Calculus. He has taught mathematics for over 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
New math teacher, Michael Smalenberger, has started at U-High
Horror Club is a recently founded Tier 1 club that focuses on talking about and creating horror media. The club meets Wedesdays in N214 during lunch and lab periods.
New club brings together horror fans
On it's website, the Laboratory Schools has included a new page with specific guidance about federal law enforcement.
Lab website page includes updated guidance on federal agents
Junior Tinson Xu writes down equations on the board during a math team meeting. Tinson was one of multiple students to receive a perfect score on the Sept. 25 math team competition at Naperville North High School. The math team has attended three competitions so far this season.
Math Team receives perfect scores, struggles in recent competitions
Horror Club is a recently founded Tier 1 club that focuses on talking about and creating horror media. The club meets Wedesdays in N214 during lunch and lab periods.
New club brings together horror fans
After a coaching staff change, the debate team has had to overcome various challenges. In their first three competitions, they failed to place or win awards.
Debate team competes in first 3 competitions, does not place
Latinos Unidos will host a Día De Los Muertos celebration in the lobby of Gordon Parks Arts Hall from 3:30 to 5 p.m on October 30. Students are encouraged to participate by bringing a photo of a deceased loved one to be placed on the ofrenda.
Lab will honor Día de los Muertos in colorful celebration
Seismic shifts:
Seismic shifts:
F1 Fever
F1 Fever
Take me out to the ball game
Take me out to the ball game
The shadows of policy & power
The shadows of policy & power
Driven to serve: Alumni pursue careers in public service
Driven to serve: Alumni pursue careers in public service
Multimedia Editor Karina Hans argues that social media cultivates a culture of toxicity and misogyny.
Social media enables violent misogyny
Multimedia Editor Chloé Tyndall argues that restricting AI use will aid in reducing its harmful environmental effects.
Save water resources: use AI less
Managing Editor Naomi Benton argues that students should embrace range in their passions, rather than feeling pressured to specialize early.
Resist the urge to focus too early
The Editorial Board argues that U-High students should spread awareness and take action against the deportation crisis.
Stand up against ICE raids
Assistant Section Editor Nadia Washington argues that students should strive to forge connections with their teachers early on so they have support when conflict arises.
Get comfortable asking teachers for help
Assistant Editor Sinziana Lazar offers advice on how students can build foundational skills before leaving for college. While high school may equip students with foundational skills such as how to plan homework and analyze a text, success in college and eventually in the professional world requires attaining and developing new skills essential to a career.
Learning life skills: How to prepare for college life
The Young Entrepreneur Academy, abbreviated as YEA!, is a yearlong program that offers mentorship and real-life exposure to young aspiring entrepreneurs. Senior Evelyn Halbach, ninth graders Layleh Adhi and Tess Weitzman, sophomore Lara Mohindra and junior Freddie Neater-Dubow all attend the Chicago chapter.
Mind your business: Young women learn skills through entrepreneurship program
Ronen has been on the ski team since he was in third grade, and he mainly competes in the slalom and giant slalom races. His season runs from early December to spring break, during which he competes in at least eight races
Junior Ronen Malani finds freedom through skiing
Senior Catherine Groves poses with a massive skull. Most people don't discover their career until college, but some teens are already getting hands-on experience with paleontology through the University of Chicago’s Fossil Lab.
Students explore paleontology through Fossil Lab
People see Gen Z using these phrases online and misattribute their origin to this generation. In reality, many of these “slang” words used today trace back to Black and queer communities. These words have been lifted from their origins and now circulate through mainstream life.
Margin to Mainstream: Gen Z slang uses terms from minority dialects
SCRAPINGS THAT SAVE. The Department of Streets and Sanitation’s food scrap drop off program eases the oftentimes hard task of composting in the city.
Citywide program makes composting accessible
Chicago School: Chicago Savings Bank Building.
Building History:
FACT-FILLED FERRY. A ship from Shoreline Sightseeing passes by Apple Michigan Avenue during a Chicago River tour. Shoreline Sightseeing is one of the many fleets of tour ferries and water taxis that run the famous tours.
Variety of tours provides insight, depth
The David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 E. 60th St. Named after 1973 alumnus and trustee David Rubenstein, is one of many private sites open to the public for The Chicago Architecture center's Open House Chicago event. Every year since 2011, the event has allowed people to see some of the most famous examples of Chicago architecture firsthand.
What to see at Open House Chicago
REFLECTIVE REFRESH. The 53rd Street and 55th Street viaduct panels are now home to 19 new murals from local artists with ties to the neighborhood, replacing pieces that had been made 18 years prior. The artworks, located under the Metra Electric tracks near Lake Park Avenue, are meant to represent each artist’s individual take on a representation of Hyde Park.
Underrated Overpass
Even as Guillermo Del Toro’s new film adaptation of “Frankenstein” makes changes to the original novel's plot, it skillfully communicates the source’s meditations on creation and motherhood.
‘Frankenstein’ film innovates, illustrates novel’s vision
Tame Impala's new album 'Deadbeat' strays from his usual genre of music. Some of the songs are successful but most fall short.
Tame Impala’s ‘Deadbeat’ stumbles, misses the mark
Five Faves: November Edition
Five Faves: November Edition
Season 2 of "Wednesday," a TV show focused on Wednesday Addams of "The Addams Family" fame, received millions of views within the first week of its release. However, the storyline is distracted, hindered by addition of too many side plots.
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 disappoints with scattered, unfocused plot
“Unto Thee,” Theaster Gates’s new exhibit at the Smart Museum, explores the relationship between the South Side and the University of Chicago with objects from both the communities.
Exhibit expands on the ordinary: ‘Unto Thee’ exhibit gives new life to discarded objects
Sophomore Morgan Purcell runs at CC Invite at Detweiler Park on Sept. 13.
Cross country wrap up: girls team places at state
Marty Billingsley, a cross country coach and computer science teacher, talks to junior Connor Lane at the ISL Regional Championship on Oct. 14.
Teachers find deeper connections through coaching roles
During the regional semifinals on Oct. 28 in Upper Kovler, senior Kate Ryan hits the ball over the net.
Volleyball season wrap up: loss at regional finals
In the first game of playoffs against Evergreen Community High School on Oct. 21, junior Atticus Richard dribbles the ball. The Maroons won 5-0, but lost in the finals on Oct. 24 against Bremen.
Boys soccer season wrap up: loss at regional finals
In a match against Parker on Sept. 11, junior Sophia Holt prepares to return the ball. Sophia made it to the singles quarterfinals at state.
Girls tennis season wrap up: team finishes fifth at state
GIVING THANKS: Research shows that practicing gratitude strengthens brain circuits associated with connection.
Gaining from gratitude: Research shows gratitude reinforces positivity
LISTEN SMART: Experts say that monitoring symptoms and taking regular breaks from listening to loud sounds can help prevent hearing damage.
Headphone health: Protect your hearing through breaks, monitoring decibels
BRAIN BOOSTERS. Avocados, berries, Greek yogurt and nuts are food foods that are scientifically proven to improve long-term brain function.
Four foods to fire up brain function
DELAY OR DO. Counselors, advisers and teachers are resources for students struggling with procrastination, learning coordinator Laura Doto said.
Q&A: Skills, support to combat procrastination
PROTEIN POWER. Despite many influencers and companies perpetuating the idea that more protein is better, the recommended dietary allowance for protein for the average adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.
Pushing protein: Despite what influencers say, most people meet their protein needs
Volleyball co-captain Kylie Carter present the guest of honor, Cynthia Estes, with flowers before the varsity game.
Volleyball teams fundraise for breast cancer research
New cell phone policy needs revisions
New cell phone policy needs revisions
Mia Lane paints on a prop for the upcoming theater production, "Urinetown." U-High theater's set crew has make significant advancements in the complexity of their stage design.
Video: With ‘Urinetown,’ set crew takes new leaps in complexity
On a Science Saturday on April 26, Women in Stem co-president Sofia Picciola works with kids on a pepper-and-soap experiment that explains surface tension concepts.
Video: Women in STEM members share passion on Science Saturdays
Varsity soccer co-captain Orly Eggener raises her hands for a high five with her teammates. Sports captainship has allowed multiple students to grow both on and off the field.
Audio: Sports captainship allows student athletes to grow leadership skills
FREEDOM FOR THE MASSES. Amid a sea of protesters, an individual holds a sign reading "Defend Democracy Deport the Racist," as they listen to the speakers on the Butler Field stage at the No Kings Protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago.
Lab community participates in one of the largest ‘No Kings’ protests
ROWS OF RED. Wearing their assigned grade color of red, seniors Spencer Davis, Sam Oyler, Mo Iyi-Ojo and Ryan de Jong celebrate during the free-throw competition during the spirit assembly on Sept. 18. Ninth graders were assigned the color yellow, sophomores blue, juniors green, and faculty and staff donned purple.
Gallery: Scenes from homecoming
SELFIE FIRST. Seniors Courtney McDonald, Kaavya Peddinti, Marcus Wolfe, Helen Kraemer and Amira Williams take a selfie on the dance floor during prom. Courntey ensured to document the night, so that he could look back on the memories in the future. “Prom was an amazing night for me, and I made sure to capture as many moments as I could with the people I care about the most.”
Gallery: Students Celebrate End of Year
CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION. Focusing intently, sophomore Caillum Haffner precisely dribbles droplets of sodium hydroxide into an aspirin-ethanol solution. As Caillum watched, he had to tensely await a color change in the solution. “It was actually really stressful doing the lab,” Caillum said. “It was hard because one drop too much of sodium hydroxide could totally ruin the lab, and I’d have to start over.”
Gallery: Moments of Intensity
Jumping into the air, ninth grader Chris Williams delivers a powerful serve during the boys tennis team’s home game against Fenwick on April 24. As of May 5, the varsity had an undefeated record of 11-0 for the season.
Gallery: Pushing Past the Pain
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: April 30, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
Connections Feb. 18, 2025
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
The Student News Site of University of Chicago Laboratory High School

U-High Midway
Abhay Chandran

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor

Abhay Chandran is a member of the Class of 2026 and the city life editor. He began in the 2023-24 school year when he was a sophomore and previously served as an audience engagement editor. Abhay is also the director/creator of Thursday Afternoon Live, a member of the SET board and a member of the Science Olympiad team. Outside of school, Abhay enjoys acting, complaining about climate change and is writing a musical about former U.S. president Richard Nixon.

Awards:

2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: First place, social media (with Naomi Benton, Juliana Daugherty, Caroline Skelly), Instagram

2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Second place, review, ‘Cunk on Life’ provides both meaning and humor

2025 Illinois Journalism Education Association: Honorable mention, humorous commentary, Flag Forward

2023 Journalism Education Association National Student Media Contests, Boston convention: Honorable mention, yearbook copy/caption: academics

All content by Abhay Chandran
The David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 E. 60th St. Named after 1973 alumnus and trustee David Rubenstein, is one of many private sites open to the public for The Chicago Architecture center's Open House Chicago event. Every year since 2011, the event has allowed people to see some of the most famous examples of Chicago architecture firsthand.

What to see at Open House Chicago

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
October 15, 2025
Taara Sajdeh, Jashan Gill, class of 2025, Adi Shukla, Aran Malhotra, Zain Zaidi and Maya Livni pose together in front of an F1 sign in Singapore. Alongside Alex Blander, class of 2025, the Aeros Racing team competed at STEM Racing World Finals 2025, placing 23 out of 85.

School F1 team places in top 50 in world finals

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
October 10, 2025
Justin Tipping’s movie “Him,” while occasionally confusing, deftly illustrates the violence at the core of American football.

Movie ‘Him’ explores the horror of football

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
September 29, 2025
City Life Editor Abhay Chandran argues that K-12 programs should strive to be more aware of and support international students.

Support international students by leveling opportunities

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
September 11, 2025
With the new phone ban in place, students are conflicted about whether it is an improvement for students' lives.

Vox pop: initial phone ban reactions

Naomi Benton, Abhay Chandran, and Ellie Rosenberg
September 5, 2025
Seniors Aerianna Rai-Marchant and Orly Eggener hold up paintings and photos from Boston and Chicago. May Projects fostering creative skills, like this one, have become more popular recently.

May Project: A valued tradition

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
June 4, 2025
The results of 2024 Wellness Survey show that Lab has an overall wellness score of 87, in comparison to the national average of 85. Scores overall have increased in some areas such as enjoyment, while remaining stagnant or worsening in other areas.

Wellness survey shows progress, overall mixed results

Abhay Chandran, City Life Editor
May 21, 2025
Audience Engagement Editor Abhay Chandran argues that books should choose a meaningful ending instead of an easy ending.

Write endings that have meaning instead of an easy outcome

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
May 15, 2025
LAUGH IT OFF. Laughter helps in reducing stress, strengthening your immune system, and bringing people closer together. In fact, you're 30 times more likely to laugh when you're with someone else than when you're alone.

Ha-ha for healthy healing

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
April 2, 2025
Connections: March 31, 2025

Connections: March 31, 2025

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
March 31, 2025
Connections: Feb. 25, 2025

Connections: Feb. 25, 2025

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
February 25, 2025
Trushar Patel has been running Rajun Cajun, his family-owned resturaunt in Hyde Park on 53rd street, for the past 30 years. Inspired by the previous owner’s Southern cooking, Rajun Cajun serves customers a unique blend of both Indian and southern cuisine.

Combining culture and comfort: Trushar Patel gives Indian food a Southern twist

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
February 13, 2025
“Cunk On Life,” which began streaming on Netflix Dec. 30, follows mockumentarian Philomena Cunk taking a deep dive into philosophy, the meaning of life and the nature of reality.

‘Cunk on Life’ provides both meaning and humor

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
February 3, 2025
Flag Forward

Flag Forward

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
January 14, 2025
After undergoing surgery because of a medical complication, Stefanie Giurcanu founded her company RoShe Ventures to fund efforts to help Romanian girls to forge their own career paths.

Inspiring Interests: Stefanie Giurcanu uses her experiences to help Romanian girls pursue science, arts

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
December 20, 2024
The car which caught fire on the Midway Plaisance Dec. 5 remains in its parking spot Dec. 6. Many students bore witness to the fire as they were leaving school.

Car fire on Midway Plaisance gains attention of community

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Manager
December 6, 2024
The re-election of former president Donald Trump elicited disheartenment from members of the Lab community as students feared how political issues like abortion access and immigration rights will be impacted by another Trump presidency.

Trump reelection sparks concern from Lab community about rights, policies

Mia Lipson and Abhay Chandran
November 13, 2024
A student reads a Schoology post from Dean of Students Ana Campos warning high schoolers about a second phishing email sent to accounts linked to the University of Chicago.

Students warned following phishing emails incident

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
October 29, 2024
With Thanksgiving approaching, students and faculty reflect on what they are thankful for in their lives.

Vox Pop: How have budget cuts affected recertifying and running clubs?

Abhay Chandran and Kabir Joshi
October 17, 2024
TRUSTED TRANSIT. Senior Joonsung Kim gets into his Uber on the corner of South east View Park and East 54th Street.

Uber Teen offers safer option for students

Abhay Chandran, Audience Engagement Editor
October 16, 2024
An educational student trip to Italy will be hosted by Latin teacher Frances Spaltro this spring break.

Students to experience Rome in spring break trip

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
September 19, 2024
In this Vox Pop, we asked students what they are most excited for this year.

Vox pop: what sudents are most excited for this year

Abhay Chandran, Edward Park, Ari Novak, Orlie Weitzman, Naomi Benton, and Light Dohrn
September 13, 2024
Reporter Abhay Chandran argues that sequels are harmful towards the animation industry and instead animators should produce authentic new stories.

Animators should focus more on telling new stories than creating more sequels

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
September 12, 2024
Bonjour, Olympiques!

Bonjour, Olympiques!

Abhay Chandran, Juliana Daugherty, Lucia Dumitrescu, Sohana Schneider, Caroline Skelly, and Orlie Weitzman
May 30, 2024
7 Olympic events not to miss

7 Olympic events not to miss

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
May 30, 2024
Ten years and 261 episodes later, many things have changed about “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” the least of which has been John Oliver’s appearance. Despite the change it has undergone, “Last Week Tonight” continues to be an extremely informative show. The show’s Emmy-winning writing is made obvious through its comprehensive deep dives, strategic structure and intricate web of inside jokes.

10 years later, ‘Last Week Tonight’ continues to provide informational, entertaining experience

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
May 23, 2024
Positive Presentation. Expanding student perspectives, Spectrum leaders Alex Fogel and Aaron Moss use their social justice workshop to celebrate underrepresented identities. The workshop on April 10 used a combination of general information and personal experience to help inform attendees about underrepresented micro labels and why they rarely received representation. It was ”Less about having a difficult conversation and more just about having, sort of presenting various facets that don’t get talked about very often,” Aaron said. “We hope to just kind of normalize that conversation within Lab about things you don’t hear about often, not negatively, but positively.”

Spectrum takes positive approach toward social justice workshop

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
May 17, 2024
Jaya Alenghat, Chloë Alexander and Clare McRoberts will be editors-in-chief for 2024-25.

Midway editors selected for 2024-25 school year

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
April 26, 2024
Reporter Abhay Chandran argues by prioritizing the elimination of issues like greenwashing, we will be able to genuinely approach net-zero emissions making far more progress toward sustainability.

Stop greenwashing: critical to more sustainable planet

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
April 15, 2024
In their final match of the season, the robotics team competed at the Midwest regional at the University of Illinois at Chicago and advanced to the semi-finals. In addition, the team won the Innovation in Control award for its use of machine learning and computer vision.

Robotics team wins innovation award at last match of the season

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
April 8, 2024
U-High Podcast Club host Aerianna Rai-Marchant interviews a source for a story. Since the U-High Podcast Club’s creation in September, members have been working toward the goal of helping students and faculty members understand one another outside of the classroom.

Audio: Podcast Club’s first episode brings community together

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
April 4, 2024
The varsity debate team placed first during the Maine East Regatta in Park Ridge Feb. 9-11.

Debate team continues strong performance at recent conference

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
February 28, 2024
Students take bagels at Jewish Students’ Association club, where bagels are offered every Friday. Food plays a crucial role in many clubs in a range of ways, from attracting members to raising money.

Food fills a range of roles in club activities

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
January 9, 2024
Junior Nathan Lio illustrates an idea during a club meeting for the U-High chapter of the American Rocketry Challenge.

New engineering club plans to design rockets, partake in contest

Abhay Chandran, Reporter
November 2, 2023
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